‘Dancing With the Stars,’ Week 4, The Performances: TV Recap

Tonight, “Dancing with the Stars” transports us to the movies, with interpretations of famous film scores through tangos, foxtrots, paso dobles and a Viennese waltz. (It seems even “DWTS” couldn’t find a way to celebrate Columbus Day.) The audience features an Academy Award-winning Best Actress: Cher. How many times will producers flash to Chaz Bono’s mother? My guess: 15.

Following last week’s elimination of the high-scoring Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas, voting patterns will be interesting to discover. Will middle-of-the-pack couples such as Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovsky receive a boost? Will the fan base for Chaz and Lacey Schwimmer, who have received the lowest judges’ scores the past two weeks, feel empowered to continue rallying?

Am I the only one who gets a Sarah Jessica Parker vibe from Chynna Phillips? She and Tony Dovolani start with a tango to “Mission: Impossible.” Once again, rehearsal footage gives us an anxious Chynna not quite getting the steps. Usually that’s been a tease to an accomplished routine, but this week Chynna loses her footing early and never catches up. She shakes her head sadly when she finishes. The judges, perhaps sensing her feelings, are gentle in their criticism. Score: 21 (Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, Bruno 7).

First Cher sighting: 8:24 p.m.

This week, the pros are allowed to “muck about,” something Len usually hates, to capture the flavor of the films. For his “Raiders of the Lost Ark” paso doble, David Arquette swings on to the ballroom floor to rescue Kym Johnson. He’s running, he’s leaping, but is he always dancing? Hard to say. The stomping footwork is great in some parts, not as much in others. The judges’ reactions mirror this indecision. Bruno and Carrie Ann love it, with Bruno salivating about David’s manliness and Carrie Ann praising his charisma. Len, however, calls it “a temple of doom.” Score: 23 (Carrie Ann 8, Len 7, Bruno 8).

Another Cher sighting: 8:40 p.m.

Carson Kressley is in sound-bite heaven. Of his praised tango: “a Sally Field moment.” Of playing a pirate in his “Curse of the Black Pearl” Viennese waltz: “Pirates are basically guys running around in tight pants, open shirts and looking for jewelry. Um, I think I can handle that.” He ogles the stunt man Anna Trebunskaya brings in to teach sword fighting. The dance itself is Week One quality, when Carson was all fun and no content. Sword fighting and dance moves are in equal proportion. The judges are entertained, though Len is grumpier about the lack of finesse. Then again, he says that if he were watching at home, he’d vote for Carson. Score: 20 (Carrie Ann 7, Len 6, Bruno 7).

Tristan MacManus goes to visit Nancy Grace at a live taping of her HLN show, and he tells her he wants her to bring that aggression to their paso doble. Two weeks ago, Nancy had, debatably, a “nip slip.” Tonight’s high-slit ensemble brings about nightmares of a wardrobe malfunction of another variety. Nothing to fear in this “Flash Gordon” paso – in fact, it doesn’t look much different than Nancy’s slower ballroom dances. It lacks passion, and it’s kind of boring. Len calls it competent but says it doesn’t excite him. Carrie Ann thinks Nancy deserves credit for stepping outside her comfort zone, though she needs to connect to the audience more. Score: 21 (7s from all – odd, because Len’s comments to Nancy were much harsher than his comments to Carson, and yet he scored her higher)

It’s time for what seems to be an annual event on “DWTS:” Maks becomes impatient with a perfectionist partner. Hope tries her best to take it in stride, explaining that her tendency in soccer is to practice until she gets something. Maks doesn’t have time. Ironically, they have a foxtrot to “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” from “Toy Story.” It’s a cute, adorable dance, with less messing about than Maks usually engages in, and it tells the song’s story succinctly. The rehearsal footage doesn’t show it, but this week this overscheduled Hope joined some of her World Cup teammates to participate in a relay at the Chicago Marathon – and Len rebukes Hope for a lack of polish and time in the studio. Then he rebukes Maks for his language around Hope. Carrie Ann and Bruno are more charmed with the couple. Score: 24 (straight 8s – I really don’t understand Len’s judging tonight.)

Rob Kardashian, continuing his arc of “I’m shy, but I’m working hard,” plays Clark Kent in a “Superman” paso doble. He has become a better dancer since Week One and at times even dances with some authority. Still, maybe the “lack of confidence” thing isn’t an act, as Rob doesn’t seem to be having enough fun. He needs to let himself go more. He also needs to extend his arms more, as Bruno notes, because right now they’re on the floppy side. Carrie Ann says Rob is “steady, just as a man should be in the ballroom.” Score: 24 (all 8s, even though Len considers the dance merely competent). P.S. Cheryl Burke ends the paso by ripping off Rob’s white shirt to reveal a Superman “K.” Mostly, this makes one think of Cheryl’s dynamic partner of Season 8, Gilles Marini, and their quickstep to “Kryptonite.”

Having topped the leaderboard the past two weeks, Ricki Lake and Derek Hough feel pressure to stay there. Either every female contestant had a mini-meltdown this week, or “DWTS” producers aren’t feeling original in their storytelling, because sure enough we have Ricki worried about getting the steps and feeling frustrated. The tango to “Psycho,” though in color, has the dramatic artiness of a black-and-white classic. Amid all the lackluster pasos and tangos, at last we have a dance with some theatrical strength. The judges are ecstatic, and Carrie Ann and Bruno reach for paddles not yet seen this season. Score: 29 (Carrie Ann 10, Len 9, Bruno 10. That seems a bit high for Week Four. Ricki isn’t Season 10’s Nicole Scherzinger.)

Surprisingly, Chaz and Lacey aren’t dancing last, though it is fitting they’re doing a paso doble to the theme from “Rocky.” As with Carson and Anna, Chaz and Lacey’s package doesn’t have a lot of dancing. Instead, Richard Simmons joins the fun to work on Chaz’s endurance, and Chaz engages in almost every boxing-movie cliché. As for the dance, he has more attack than usual, but his energy seems to flag as the paso progresses, and the run up the stairs at the end is tough to watch. The judges spout a bunch of boxing standards about getting stronger and fighting. Score: 21 (all 7s).

After last week’s emotionally wrenching rumba, J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff kick back with a foxtrot from “The Pink Panther.” Karina harps on him, but in such a way that you know she has enormous respect for him. Where Carson and Chaz had silly extra guests, Karina brings in a professional ballroom dancer to help J.R. grasp the precision of the foxtrot. Even in a sparkly hot pink suit, J.R. is sexy and slinky, sly and funny; he and Karina have a great connection. The humor of the dance becomes a point of contention for the judges, though, because Carrie Ann thinks the foxtrot didn’t need it, whereas Len and Bruno nearly attack her for the statement. They think the dance is fabulous (Len) and J.R. versatile (Bruno), and both enjoy the subtle humor. Score: 26 (Carrie Ann 8, Len 9, Bruno 9).

Who should go home? Chaz or Nancy. Who will? I think Chynna’s in danger. She danced early, she had her first bad week, and she fits Tony’s usual partner profile of sweet and nice but not exactly dynamic.